Study: Millennials Less Knowledgeable On Credit Reports

• Do not max out, or even come close to maxing out, credit limits on credit cards.

• Pay down debt rather than just move it around.

• Don’t open many new credit accounts rapidly.

• Regularly check credit reports for errors.

Source: Consumer Federation of America

By Patricia SabatiniPittsburgh Post-Gazette

Adults age 18-34 are more confused about credit reports and scores than are older age groups, even though younger Americans have the greatest need to understand these critical financial measures, according to a report from the Consumer Federation of American.

“The fact that millennials are less knowledgeable is a concern” because they are more likely to be applying for major credit for the first time, such as an auto loan, home mortgage or rental contract, the federation’s executive director, Stephen Brobeck, told reporters in a conference call last week.

Specifically, millennials know less about the range of businesses that use credit scores — such as electric utilities, cell phone providers, home insurers and landlords — the survey found.

Millennials also are more likely to mistakenly think that credit repair companies are usually helpful in correcting errors on credit reports and improving scores. In reality, credit repair firms help “only occasionally,” tend to be costly and perform services that consumers could do themselves, Brobeck said.

“The findings are very clear that millennials don’t understand as much about credit reports and scores,” he said.

On the upside, he said, the survey showed that overall, a large majority of consumers know many important facts about credit scores.

In addition, nearly three-quarters know that it’s important to check the accuracy of their credit reports at the three main credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — and that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the federal agency best suited to help consumers solve individual problems with credit reports and scores.

Under federal law, consumers are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three national bureaus. The reports can be ordered online at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

Generally there is a cost to obtain a credit score, but more lenders and financial websites are starting to offer free scores as an added benefit. In addition, lenders are required to provide a credit score for free under certain circumstances, such as when a consumer applies for a mortgage or is turned down for credit.

In general, a credit score of 700 and above is considered very good, although not all credit scores are based on the same scale.

Brobeck noted that a good score doesn’t carry the same weight with all lenders.

To get the best rates and terms, “It’s extremely important to comparison shop if you’re in the market for credit,” he said.

The federation’s fourth annual credit score survey also found a majority of consumers harbor some costly misunderstandings that could result in lower scores and thousands of dollars in extra finance charges.

“Most troubling is that only 42 percent know that a credit score measures the risk of not repaying a loan rather than factors such as knowledge of, or attitude to, consumer credit,” Brobeck said. “Consumers should be aware that they can take steps to reduce this risk and improve their scores, most importantly by making all loan payments on time.”

In addition, few consumers (7 percent) know that multiple inquiries on a credit report for a mortgage or other loan made in a short one- to two-week window are treated as one inquiry and do not lower credit scores. That mistake deters many people from shopping around for a loan.

The federation encourages consumers to learn more about credit by taking its online credit score quiz at www.creditscorequiz.org.